As Energy E book IV: Drivekicks off its third and last season, stars Kris D. Lofton and Adrienne Walker are telling BOSSIP what it takes to outlive the streets of Chicago, the place their energy, partnership, and perennial plotting take heart stage.
Supply: Energy E book IV: Drive / Starz
Walker, who’s introduced layered ambition and attract to perennial plotter Shanti “Showstopper” Web page, advised BOSSIP that season 3 looks like a homecoming.
“I really feel like Shanti is basically coming into her personal. She and Jenard are lastly making strides; it’s precisely what we wanted for this last season.”
Lofton echoed that sentiment whereas injecting a few of his trademark humor about Jenard Sampson, the street-savvy Southside hustler who’s virtually misplaced all of it, on a couple of event.
“Coming into season three, I’m simply appreciative of the journey Jenard has taken,” he stated. “I’m impressed he lasted this lengthy. I’m simply pleased to be right here as a result of truthfully, he deserved to be gone a very long time in the past, because of Tommy. I’m simply pleased to nonetheless be standing.”
Supply: Energy E book IV: Drive / Starz
Few rivalries within the Energy universe have burned hotter than Jenard’s hatred for “the white satan” Tommy Egan, and in line with Lofton, that animosity isn’t only for present.
“I believe Jenard all the time makes errors,” he admitted. “However that hate goes to remain. It’s stemming from the precise place. I believe individuals have a look at it unsuitable; Janard is meant to hate Tommy.”
To get there emotionally, Lofton constructed a deep backstory.
“I gave myself a whole backstory to make it appear extra actual whereas I used to be filming,” he stated. “I’ve conditioned it in my head a lot that I really consider it.”
That degree of psychological immersion, he believes, makes the ultimate season particularly POWERful.
“The followers are going to like this season,” he teased.
For Walker’s Shanti, the endgame is evident: she desires the identical recognition she earns within the ring to match what she receives from her friends within the streets.
“She desires respect,” the actress advised BOSSIP. “She desires the facility. She desires to be accountable for all of it. Shanti’s not a fan of the white satan both,” she added with fun. “However her focus is on respect and management.”
Supply: Energy E book IV: Drive / Starz
Because the fiery membership proprietor, businesswoman, and boxer together with her personal agenda, Shanti’s evolution from background participant to energy dealer has made her one of many collection’ most unpredictable figures. And as her partnership with Jenard deepens, it’s clear that neither character is taking part in a brief sport.
“Jenard’s not as dumb as individuals suppose,” stated Lofton. “He’s very manipulative. In my head, he was going to an Ivy League college; I all the time stated it was Brown. He’s smarter than he appears; he simply clothes this fashion.”
That mind, Lofton stated, is what drives Jenard’s strategic submission to Shanti.
“Generally I believe he lets her have it as a result of he is aware of what he’s doing,” he stated. “The important thing to the world is free will manipulation. You make any person suppose they’re doing one thing for themselves, however actually, you planted the concept.”
Lofton even likened Jenard’s manipulation to on a regular basis advertising and marketing.
“We don’t eat McDonald’s as a result of we wish it,” he stated. “We eat it as a result of they advised us to. They made us consider we selected it, and that’s the place the facility lies. That’s what Jenard’s doing.”
He additionally added that he finds Jenard’s mushy spot for Shanti each harmful and revealing.
“It’s not Kris letting her name the pictures; it’s Jenard permitting it,” he stated. “On the finish of the day, it’s technique. Generally you let any person lead in order that they suppose it’s their concept. That’s once you win.”
As Energy E book IV: Drive prepares to say goodbye, each stars are embracing the chance to exit robust and to provide followers a finale worthy of the empire they helped construct.
“I can’t anticipate individuals to see the way it all performs out,” stated Lofton. “Janard’s taking part in chess, not checkers.”
The ultimate season of Energy E book IV: Drive premiered Friday, November 7. New episodes air each Friday on STARZ.
